Home / Approach
Our approach
Good advice is specific, written down and accountable to a result. Everything about how we work is designed around those three things.
01 / Process
Four stages, no ambiguity.
Whether the engagement lasts a few weeks or a full year, it moves through the same four stages, and you always know which one we are in.
01
Consultation
We start with a conversation about the business: what it does, how it performs, what is getting in the way and what you want it to become. The aim is to understand the real problem, which is often not the one first described. If we are not the right fit, we will say so and, where we can, point you to someone who is.
02
Diagnostic
With your permission, we look beneath the surface: financials, systems, team structure, sales data and customer feedback. We then set out our findings and recommendations in writing, ranked by impact, so you can see exactly what we see and why.
03
Proposal
We translate the diagnostic into a written proposal: objectives, deliverables, responsibilities on both sides, timeline and fee. You review it, ask questions and agree to it before any engagement work begins. If the scope needs to change later, that change is agreed in writing too.
04
Delivery & Review
We work to the agreed milestones and report progress in plain language. At the close of every engagement there is a formal review of what was delivered against what was promised, and a handover so your team can carry the work forward.
02 / Engagement models
Structured to fit the problem.
Fees are fixed for defined projects, monthly for retainers and per program for education. Every fee is agreed in writing in advance.
Advisory Retainer
An ongoing relationship with a senior advisor who knows your business. Scheduled working sessions, access between them for decisions that cannot wait, and periodic reviews against agreed priorities.
StructureMonthly fee, minimum initial term agreed at proposal.
Defined Project
A focused piece of work with a clear objective and end point. Typical projects include an operations overhaul, a go-to-market build, a financial model and funding package, or a venture launch.
StructureFixed fee against a written scope and timeline.
Programs & Workshops
Education for founders and teams, delivered one-to-one, in cohorts or as workshops. Each session is applied to the participant's own business rather than taught in the abstract.
StructurePer participant or per program, agreed in advance.
03 / Questions
Frequently asked.
What kinds of businesses do you work with?
We work with founders and owner-operators of privately held US businesses, from pre-launch ventures to established companies with growing teams. Service businesses, e-commerce brands, professional practices and local operators all fall within our practice. What matters more than industry is a founder who is ready to make decisions and act on them.
Do you work with businesses outside the United States?
Our practice is focused on US businesses, because so much of our work depends on the US commercial, banking and regulatory environment. We occasionally take on international founders building a US company.
How are fees structured?
Defined projects carry a fixed fee, advisory retainers a monthly fee and education programs a per-participant or per-program fee. Every fee is set out in a written proposal and agreed before work begins. We do not bill surprise hours.
Do you provide legal, tax or investment advice?
No. We are a consulting and education firm, not a law firm, accounting firm or registered investment adviser. When an engagement involves those matters, we work alongside your attorney, CPA or other licensed professionals, and can introduce you to qualified advisors if needed.
Will you sign a non-disclosure agreement?
Yes. Confidentiality is part of every engagement by default, and we are glad to sign a mutual NDA before you share sensitive information.
Do you work remotely?
Most of our work is delivered remotely, which lets us serve clients anywhere in the country. On-site sessions, workshops and planning days can be arranged as part of an engagement.
How soon can an engagement start?
That depends on current commitments. We deliberately limit the number of clients we serve at one time, so we will give you a realistic start date during the consultation rather than overpromise.
What do you need from us?
Access to the information the work requires, a clear point of contact, and the time to make decisions. The founders who get the most from an engagement are the ones who treat it as a priority rather than something to fit in.
Begin
Start with a conversation.
Tell us where the business is today and where you want it to be. We will tell you honestly whether we can help, and how.
Or write to us directly at [email protected]